who is the Imam of our Time (Imam Zaman).
Any description is insufficient for stating what a gem he is!
There is a narration from which you can draw all the necessary conclusions.
That narration is the one reported by Saduq who narrates it from the fourth Imam, Imam Zayn al-Abedin....
Any description is insufficient for stating what a gem he is!
There is a narration from which you can draw all the necessary conclusions.
That narration is the one reported by Saduq who narrates it from the fourth Imam, Imam Zayn al-Abedin.
This is the narration:
"The one who in his occultation…"
From this (narration) it becomes obvious that
those who live in the period of his occultation
can achieve such a status.
What is his status?
From this narration one should understand the conclusion of the subject matter from the way it begins.
I myself am astonished by this.
The narration is such a narration that
the master of narrators (specialized in that science), Muhammad ibn `Ali ibn Babawayh al-Saduq reports it.
He reports it in such a book that
he wrote when commanded by the Imam Zaman.
The narration is this:
"Those who in the duration of his occultation
pass away while having his (i.e., Imam Zaman's) guardianship
their reward and blessings (with God) is equivalent to (the reward of) a thousand martyrs
from the martyrs of Badr and Uhud.
This is the station of those who
in his occultation are firm (in their belief) in his guardianship.
Now, what kind of status does the Imam of our Time have himself?
Firstly, what is the secret of this narration?
The answer (to that question) requires much focus and insight and can only be found in religious teachings.
"Everything is before his sight in due proportion."
"And the Firmament has He raised high, and He has set up the balance."
"And We will set up a just balance."
the divine plan observes the balance (in creation) fully (without any shortcomings in any way).
The secret of this greatness is that
near the end of time, protecting one's faith and religion is most difficult.
The problems (that occur during this era) is not one or two things.
For the elite there (are) a great number of certain difficulties and
for the general public there is great many other difficulties.
Likewise, for women there will be certain kind of difficulties and
for youth there will be certain others.
Then, in this time, with difficulties and problems being to such degree of severity, keeping one's religion...
(All one has to do is refer) to the narrations that (have come down to us) regarding the period near the end of time.
One will be astonished. One narration talks about
the danger of the end of time being so severe that
in the morning a person will go out of his home believing in religion,
when he comes back home at night he will be without a belief in religion.
It will reach such severity.
In such a time, keeping one's faith and
holding on to the guardianship of the People of the House, its beginning is this:
"And (as for) those who strive hard for Us."
This is because this time, is the time to strive (and striving should be) only in the way of Allah.
(One should) have patience when stricken with poverty, patience when stricken with calamities,
patience with regards to obeying (God) and patience with regards to (keeping away from) sins.
One needs to have more patience in these times.
When difficulties become severe and
one is faced with those difficulties
(then,) the reward and blessings will reach the (aforementioned) station.
At that time any one of you, men or women,
if in this time
be steadfast in (holding onto) the guardianship of People of the House and
be pious (individuals)
when death overtakes you, man or woman,
you will have the reward and blessings of a thousand martyrs of the battle of Badr and Uhud.
This is the narration from Sheikh Saduq
and the one narrated from is the Master of those who prostrate, Zayn al-Abedin.
Now if his servants (and followers) have such a status
during his occultation, then what is his status and station?!
This is where intellects become struck back.
